A 1996 Natural Resources Defense Council report examines the environmental impacts of America's airports, including aircraft noise, air pollution, water quality, and climate change, based on a 1995 survey of 125 of the nation's busiest airports. The report finds that the FAA's current noise threshold of 65 dB DNL inadequately measures the true impact of aircraft noise on nearby communities, and that noise problems are likely to worsen as air travel grows. NRDC recommends updating noise measurement standards and improving land-use planning around airports to better protect residents from aviation-related environmental harms.Open full document
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This NRDC report examines the environmental impacts of America’s airports, including noise and land use, ground-level air quality, water pollution, climate change, and energy efficiency. Based on a 1995 national survey of 125 of the busiest U.S. airports, it found significant environmental impacts common to most airports and an inadequate regulatory framework to address them. The report includes findings and recommendations on aircraft noise measurement standards and land use policies near airports.